The Employment Court has ruled that seasonal work is a form of fixed-term employment.
It has found in favour of a fish plant worker who claimed she was unfairly dismissed on the basis of her employer claiming she was a seasonal worker.
Lynette Turner had worked at the Talley's plant in Motueka for 10 years and despite being labelled a casual employee, worked 40 hours a week continuously over that time.
The court has found that seasonal work is a form of fixed-term employment and Talley's didn't appropriately define that in Mrs Turner's contract, meaning she was employed indefinitely.
Reserving its ruling on costs, the court says the matter should be promptly discussed between the parties.